Page 15 - BOSS Today Issue 62

BOSS Today #62 BOSS MEMBERS’ DAY 60 SECOND INTERVIEW BOSS Today #62

incoming

Highlights from n Elliot Jacobs, CEO, UOE
n Simon Weavers, Sales Director,
The Cheeky Panda
n Liz Stevenson, Strategic Director, ACS

The BOSS Annual General Meeting (AGM)
also took place on the day, where it was Chairperson
announced that Aidan McDonough, then
Members’ Day 2025 Hawley BOSS Chairperson when her two-
CEO, Integra will take over from Julie
year tenure ends later this year.
Aidan McDonough is a veteran leader in
the UK’s independent dealer channel, having BOSS Today talks to Aidan McDonough, Chairman of BLOC and
Insight & Influence: spent a lifetime building and guiding Integra current BOSS board member.
Business Solutions to become a market-
leading group. Throughout his career, he
Navigating Uncertainty, has championed strategic consolidation, BT: Congratulations on being appointed BT: What skills and insights do you BT: What aspects of the role are you
diversification, and member-focused
innovation. His leadership roles in BOSS
Embracing Change Federation and BPGI highlight his influence Please can you describe your career next Chairperson for BOSS? AM: We have an exceptional team
believe that you can bring as the
as the new BOSS board Chairperson.
most looking forward to?
up to this point?
both on a national and European scale,
whilst the forthcoming merger with Office
representing all areas within the
experience in the sector and 8 years
Friendly will mark a transformative new AM: I began my career in the industry in AM: I bring with me over 31 years of at BOSS and a diverse Board,
chapter and a continued leadership role for 1994 with NDA, a buying group that as chairman with BPGI. My primary sector. I always come away from
rom economic shifts to generational Cory Lowde, Educational consultant, on Aidan as the Chairman of BLOC Group when merged with Instat in 1997. Following focus will be to support Amy and board meetings with valuable
Fchange, BOSS Members’ Day 2025 how to understand the next generation it is formed. You can read Aidan’s 60 second the merger, I was appointed the BOSS board, offering guidance insights which reflect the depth and
brought together expert voices entering the workplace. interview in this edition of BOSS Today. Marketing Director, and in 2007 took and advice wherever needed. diversity of experience around the
and industry leaders to explore the A panel session on Change as an BOSS Chairperson, Julie Hawley stated: on the role of Managing Director, Ensuring board members can table.
opportunities within transformation. Opportunity welcomed senior leaders “It was a delight to join our members subsequently becoming CEO. share their views and opinions and
Taking place in London on Monday from the industry and was chaired by for a full agenda at Stationers’ Hall this actively contribute to shaping the BT: What would you say to a company
21st July at Stationers’ Hall in London, Julie Hawley, BOSS Chairperson. The year. Following on from the AGM, the In 2017, in addition to my CEO organisations strategic direction will in the industry who isn’t a BOSS
senior delegates from BOSS member expert panel included: Keynote speakers created much debate role, I was appointed Chairman also be an important part of my role. member? Why should they join?
companies heard from Rebecca Harding, along with fresh thinking, and our of international purchasing
an independent trade economist on why n Jeanette Caswell, Managing Director, industry panellists shared their real-world consortium, BPGI. BT: What challenges do you think that AM: I would say they are missing out
Uncertainty is the New Certainty and Office Friendly experiences of business transformation. BOSS and their members are facing on valuable resources and the
It has been an honour to serve as BT: What has been your involvement over the next two years? advantages of having a strong
Chairperson, and I am delighted to hand with BOSS so far? network behind them. From industry
over the reins to Aidan, whose deep AM: For those directly involved in the standards to best practice, BOSS has
understanding of our industry makes him AM: I have been on the BOSS board for general office products sector, we a team of experts to give guidance
exceptionally well-placed to lead BOSS over three years now. I have also will continue to see a progressive and advice in all areas of business.
into the next chapter.” worked with the BOSS Business contraction in the sector, driven Joining BOSS will also most certainly
Both the BOSS Board and BOSS team Supplies Charity. by hybrid/remote working and the help when it comes to compliance
extend their sincere thanks to Julie whose digitisation of the workplace. and staying ahead in a rapidly
commitment to BOSS over the last four BT: Why have you agreed to become evolving market.
years has been outstanding. the next BOSS Chairperson? BT: What opportunities do you think
BOSS and their members can take BT: Please tell me something about
AM: They made me! No seriously – I up over the next two years? yourself that few others know
have enjoyed contributing to
BOSS Members’ Day 2025 such a respected and professional AM: The challenge for many businesses in AM: I always wanted to be a commercial
brought together expert organisation that plays a vital role in our sector is the need to diversify into pilot, love history and an avid reader
– mostly fiction and authors such as
new areas. The encouraging news is
the industry. I am pleased to be able
voices and industry leaders to continue this in a new capacity that many have already begun this Wilbur Smith, Bernard Cornwell!
to explore the opportunities and look forward to working with journey and are seeing positive results,
within transformation. the BOSS board and team to further whether that’s in workwear, print, To view the full BOSS Board,
click here.
strengthen the organisation and the
packaging, facility supplies, furniture,
value it delivers to its members. or other diversification areas.

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